Murtha Finds Military Progress in Iraq

By Rick Moran

Allah announced the news saying "Hell Freezes Over: 'I think the surge is working' says Murtha."

Indeed, back in July, Murtha offered up his professional opinion about our change in strategy by saying that any improvements were "an illusion."

What does he say now following his latest trip to Iraq?

U.S. Rep. John Murtha today said he saw signs of military progress during a brief trip to Iraq last week, but he warned that Iraqis need to play a larger role in providing their own security and the Bush administration still must develop an exit strategy. "I think the 'surge' is working," the Democrat said in a videoconference from his Johnstown office, describing the president's decision to commit more than 20,000 additional combat troops this year. But the Iraqis "have got to take care of themselves." Violence has dropped significantly in recent months, but Mr. Murtha said he was most encouraged by changes in the once-volatile Anbar province, where locals have started working closely with U.S. forces to isolate insurgents linked to Al Qaeda.

When the symbol of defeatism in Congress does a 180 degree turnaround, you know something is up. Of course, all of Murtha's anti-war diatribes received glowing coverage in the national media since the Congressman (and his supporters) expertly played the "absolute moral authority" card, playing up Murtha's former Marine Corps service.

How much coverage has his turnaround received? Zero. Nada. Zipadeedooda. Iraq has falllen of the radar of the media's attention. It was barely mentioned in the Republican debate the other night and Democrats have suddenly lost their voice when it comes to talking about the war.

What will historians say about this remarkable, agonizing, maddening situation? The towering unfairness of it all will have to be corrected by those who study this period in American history and, when looking back over a hundred years time, marvel at the stupidity and deviousness of those who would rather lose a war and win an election than support the United States in its hour of need.